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Ms Karen Anderson

Karen is a Unit Coordinator, Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor in the Undergraduate counselling courses and the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy course within the School of Arts and Humanities.

Current Teaching

  • COU1102 Self Development 1
  • COU3102 Self Development 2
  • COU5210 Personal Issues in Counselling
  • COU6429 Couples and Family Therapy Practice 2
  • COU6432 Group Supervision 2

Background

Karen is an individual, couple and family therapist and a group psychotherapist with extensive experience working within educational, welfare and health sectors throughout the past 30+ years. She is employed with Edith Cowan University as a Practitioner Scholar. As well as her academic work, Karen conducts a private practice in counselling, psychotherapy, training and professional supervision. Karen specialises in psychosocial care and support in the areas of oncology, palliative care and disabilities.

Professional Memberships

  • Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA): Clinical Member 2001 – current, Reg. No.20042. Full Member PACFA West 2018 – current
  • Palliative Care Association WA (PCWA): Full Member 2001 – current
  • Australasian Palliative Link International (APLI): Full member – current
  • ECU Alumni: Life member
  • WA Women’s Hall of Fame: Full member – current

Awards and Recognition

National and International Awards

  • PACAWA Recognition Award 2007
  • WA Women’s Hall of Fame 2022 - inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame, Category of Education – for fostering excellence in psychosocial care and support of palliative care health professionals in WA and internationally.

University and National Teaching Awards

  • Nominated for Mental Health Good Outcomes Award October 2012 - Edith Cowan University Award for prevention, promotion and/or early intervention service or program.

Research Areas and Interests

  • Psychosocial care in oncology and palliative care
  • Psychosocial care and support in families having a family member living with a disability
  • Couples and families dealing with a double diagnosis – more than one partner/family member being diagnosed with cancer and/or a chronic life threatening illness
  • Reflective clinical supervision for health professionals
  • ‘Self’ of the counsellor in the therapeutic relationship
  • Grief, loss and bereavement (specialising with end-of-life impact)

Research Outputs

Qualifications

  • Master of Social Science in Counselling, Edith Cowan University, 1999.
  • Graduate Diploma of Arts (Counselling), Edith Cowan University, 1990.
  • Bachelor of Education, Edith Cowan University, 1985.

Research Outputs

Journal Articles

  • Lorenz, K., Mickelson, J., Vallath, N., Bhatnagar, S., Spruyt, O., Rabow, M., Agar, M., Dy, S., Anderson, K., Deodhar, J., Digamurti, L., Palat, G., Rayala, S., Sunilkumar, MM., Viswanath, V., Warrier, J., Gosh-Laskar, S., Harman, S., Giannitrapani, K., Satija, A., Pramesh, CS., Denatale, M. (2021). The Palliative Care—Promoting Access and Improvement of the Cancer Experience (PC-PAICE) Project in India: A Multisite International Quality Improvement Collaborative. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 61(1), 190–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.025.

Reports

  • Hackling, M., Murcia, K., West, J., Anderson, K. (2014). Optimising STEM Education in WA Schools. Joondalup, WA. Edith Cowan University.
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